Internet Crimes Against Children

Internet Crimes Against Children

As remarkable as the Internet is, the "information superhighway" holds hidden dangers for children. Most children do not understand online risks and few parents are sufficiently familiar with them and/or Internet technology to effectively guard against them. These problems must be addressed. This requires unprecedented collaboration and cooperation between government entities (including law enforcement agencies), the Internet industry, schools, corporations, families and others. Broad access to quality content on the Internet must be a community priority, where all involved identify and implement appropriate solutions. To address these problems more effectively, a federally funded Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force was established.

The Nebraska Internet Crimes Against Children (ICAC) Task Force was established by the Nebraska State Patrol in 2000. Nebraska's ICAC Task Force is one of 61 federally funded regional task forces in the United States Department of Justice ICAC Task Force program, which were developed in response to the increasing number of children using the internet and/or technology, the proliferation of unlawful images, images depicting the sexual exploitation of minors, and the heightened online activity by predators searching for unsupervised contact with underage victims.

Due in large part to the technological aspects of these investigations, the Nebraska ICAC Task Force promotes a multi-jurisdictional, multi-agency, team approach to investigating and prosecuting ICAC. The Nebraska ICAC Task Force works closely with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies across the nation, to combat child exploitation. Today, under the direction of the Nebraska State Patrol, the Nebraska ICAC Task Force is comprised of 61 federal, state, county and local law enforcement agencies and county attorney offices across Nebraska, who work together to combat the growing problem of internet and/or technology related child exploitation. A full list of Nebraska ICAC Task Force affiliates can be found at the bottom of the page.

The Nebraska ICAC Task Force conducts both proactive and reactive child exploitation investigations including investigations involving the sexual assault of children, child pornography, and online enticement of children. These investigations have saved numerous children from further exploitation, and have led to arrests and prosecutions in Nebraska and states across the nation.

In addition to investigating and prosecuting child exploitation facilitated by the internet and/or technology, the Nebraska ICAC Task Force provides training for law enforcement and performs educational presentations and community outreach.

The Nebraska ICAC Task Force has presented Internet safety programs as well as public education and participated in community outreach events that have reached more than 500 groups and 60,000 people including Nebraska's children, parents, educators, government and civic groups.

NEBRASKA STATE PATROL PERSONNEL

The Nebraska State Patrol ICAC Unit consists of the following supervisory personnel: A Lieutenant, and a Sergeant (ICAC Commander/Coordinator). The ICAC Unit has a Computer Forensics Lab that includes three Forensic Analysts and one Crime Analysts that support ICAC investigations statewide. Additionally, there are currently 10 Investigators working statewide that have been trained to conduct ICAC investigations. These Investigators work under the command of their respective Troop Areas.

COMPUTER AND MOBILE DEVICE FORENSICS

The Nebraska State Patrol Computer Forensics Lab, which is partially funded by the federal ICAC grant, has examined thousands of computers and mobile devices related to child exploitation investigations across the state, since its inception.

Additionally, the Nebraska ICAC Task Force provides and hosts forensic training for Investigators and Forensic Analysts across the state.

PUBLIC EDUCATION REQUESTS

For public education requests on the topics of Internet child exploitation, or Internet safety, please schedule a program by contacting the Nebraska State Patrol Community Service Officer in your Area.

WHAT CAN YOU DO TO HELP?

Although the federal program provides state and local law enforcement agencies with the tools to conduct investigations to protect children from crimes involving the Internet, your help is needed. Notify the Nebraska State Patrol or the CyberTip Line (see link below), if you know a child who has been contacted via the Internet and/or technology by someone soliciting sexual interaction, or if you know of someone who is attempting to entice children using the Internet and/or technology.

INTERNET SAFETY TIPS FOR CHILDREN AND TEENS

Do not give out personal information such as name, age, address, telephone number, parent/guardian's name, or school name/address.

Do not respond to mean, offensive, threatening, or unwanted email, text messages, posts, or instant messages.

Choose a screen name and picture that doesn't identify you as a child.

Don't share your password with anyone (except a parent/guardian), not even your best friend.

REMEMBER, people online may or MAY NOT be who they say they are.

Do not send inappropriate images or videos to anyone over the Internet or using your cell phone. If you do, you can NEVER take it back!

If anyone says anything or does anything that makes you feel uncomfortable or scared tell a trusted adult like a parent, teacher, or coach right away!

Nebraska icac Task Force affiliate agencies

The following Law Enforcement Agencies are members of the Nebraska ICAC Task Force.